Retired Members Surrey

Programme for 2011

Leather Manufacture at Gomshall #
Colin worked for the Gomshall Tannery for nigh on 30
years until its closure in 1988. Starting as a
Senior Laboratory Technician, he was promoted to
Foreman of the dyeing department in 1968 and taking
further responsibilities in supervising the tanyard
processes, pre-dry and drying operations throughout
the remaining years.
Colin guided us through the tanning process from
importing partially processed skins from New Zealand
through to the final results which were truly
amazing, judging from the fine samples he had
brought.

Colin Woolmington

November 2nd

Around the Universe in 45 minutes
Following a brief mind-boggling introduction to the
size of the Universe, we start our journey with the
Sun, and travel outwards across the Solar System,
pausing briefly at each of the planets. We then
travel into the depths of interstellar space,
describing some of the exotic objects, and finally
end with how our Universe will end - possibly with a
whimper rather than a BANG. Glorious images!

Bill Turnill

October 5th

Channel Islands Concrete - From WW2 to Today #
This talk described the construction of the
fortifications built in the Channel Islands during
the Second World War. The islands were some of the
most heavily fortified areas of the Atlantic Wall
which stretched from Norway to France. The concrete
used and the methods of construction were shown in
detail together with examples of well constructed
fortifications, and those that were not so well
constructed.
The talk also included examples of more modern
concrete construction from Germany, the Channel
Islands, and elsewhere, and is relevant everywhere
that reinforced concrete is used.

C B Shaw

September 7th

Of Ships, Seas and Scientists #
The history of Oceanographic Science at Wormley. Sir
Anthony joined the National Institute of
Oceanography in 1955, following a PhD in marine
geophysics at Cambridge, and was Director of
the Institute of Oceanographic Science (the successor of
NIO) between 1978-88. He has obtained numerous
awards and was awarded knighthood for services to
oceanography in 1987.
He spoke about his time working with Oceanographic
science projects, starting with using Fourier
analysis of waves to identify the [storm] source of
waves, including identifying one near New Zealand!
He then spoke of using scaffolding poles (Swallow
floats) sunk in the oceans to plot deep sea currents
at various depths. He described the use and
evolution of Side Scan Sonar to profile the ocean
bottom. The equipment designed and made by the IOS
was used by the USA to map their new 200 mile economic zone.

Sir Anthony Laughton PhD FRS

August 3rd

Lighting - From the oil lamp to the light-emitting diode #
People have always wanted to lengthen the day and
electric lighting is one of the most significant
technical achievements of the last two centuries.
For thousands of years oil lamps and candles gave
light indoors, but were of little use outside. The
principle of the arc lamp was demonstrated early in
the nineteenth century, but only became a practical
source of light later. Filament lamps, gas discharge
lamps and fluorescent lamps followed, and are now
being overtaken by semiconductor LED lights. The
speaker traced the development of artificial
lighting using contemporary quotations and a number
of demonstrations.

Dr Brian Bowers

July 6th

The Mary Rose - a Tudor Time Capsule
Mike described the Mary Rose and
the fascinating artefacts recovered from it.
The Mary Rose is now preserved in a custom-made
building at Portsmouth Dockyard. If there is
sufficient interest a visit to the Mary Rose when it
is re-opened will be organised later in the
session.

Mike Hill

June 1st

AGM followed by Magic and The Magic Circle
David, who is a Member of The Inner Magic Circle and
also the Secretary, gave an excellent talk entitled
'My Experiences in Magic'. He talked about The
Magic Circle and magic generally, and in particular
Tommy Cooper, whom he knew very well. His
presentation of course included magic.

David Ball

May 4th

Environmental Impacts of Mobile Radio and other
Radio Communication Transmitters #
Radio transmitters of many types are in common use
in broadcast services, voice and data communications
and radar. This talk considered the potential
unwanted interactions between radio transmitters and
electronic systems in cars and hospitals; facilities
such as petrochemical plants, quarries and offshore
installations, workers and the general public.

Tony Maddocks, RMS Member

April 6th

How the CT Scanner was born #
Don worked with Godfrey Hounsfield from the
1950s. He told us how the idea for the CT
Scanner was born, how the DHSS got involved, and
Godfrey's early struggle. He outlined how the
scanner works and charted the explosive market
which followed the first trials and publicity. The
story of EMI's resulting profit followed, then the
legal and competitive challenges, the subsequent
financial blackhole, EMI's final abdication and
Godfrey's Nobel Prize.

Don Tyzack, RMS Member

March 2nd

Criminal Justice and the Witness Service
The witness Service is part of the Charity Victim
Support, which was set up to provide information and
support to Victims and witnesses attending Crown
Courts. The talk will focus on the Criminal Justice
System and how Witness Services fits within it.

Mike Hall, Senior Manager, Witness Service Surrey

February 2nd

The Power & the Glory of Waterwheels
Jeff introduced us to waterwheels of many types,
with the history of their development in Europe. He
discussed the efficiency (or otherwise) of different
types, and showed us many pictures of ones he has
seen.

Dr Jeff Hawksley, Member SPAB Mills Section

January 5th

The 13 Amp plug #
Why do we have a fused plug when no-one else does?
The UK is the only country to have fused plugs for
domestic power socket outlets. David, one of our
members, reviewed the history of Wiring Regulations in
the UK and reasons for the UK's adoption of the ring
main and fused plugs.